EyebrarianPrize winnersGet the app

Books › Faro's Daughter

Cover of Faro's Daughter

Faro's Daughter

Georgette Heyer

480 pages

A sparkling, high-stakes battle of wits where the sharpest weapon is a perfectly delivered insult.

Where to buyBooks like this

What it feels like

Reading this is like stepping into a brilliantly lit Georgian drawing room where the champagne is flowing and the insults are razor-sharp. The experience is entirely driven by the crackling, electric banter between two fiercely stubborn equals who are determined to loathe each other. It moves at a brisk, theatrical clip, propelled by comedic misunderstandings, outrageous wagers, and a delightfully arch narrative voice that winks at the absurdities of high society. The prose is elegant and steeped in colorful period slang, creating a cozy yet spirited atmosphere. It is a masterclass in the enemies-to-lovers dynamic, perfect for readers who prefer their romance built on mutual exasperation, intellectual sparring, and the slow, delicious realization that one has met their match.

Mood
  • effervescent
  • spirited
  • cozy
  • theatrical
Tone
  • wry
  • arch
  • sparkling
  • playful
Pace
brisk
Themes
battle of wits · class prejudice · enemies to lovers · pride and reputation · absurdity of high society
The writing
Elegant and sharply observed, dripping with period-accurate slang and rapid-fire, theatrical dialogue.
The arc
Moves from bristling mutual indignation and stubborn prejudice to grudging respect and, ultimately, joyful romantic surrender.
Who it's for
Readers who delight in classic, sparkling banter and watching two fiercely stubborn aristocrats outsmart themselves into falling in love.
Content notes
  • gambling
  • period-typical classism

About the book

Skilled in the art of card playing, Deborah Grantham, a gambler's daughter, uses that skill as her sole means of support as mistress of her aunt's elegant and exclusive gaming club in 18th-century London. The beautiful young must find a way to restore herself and her aunt to respectability, preferably without accepting either of two repugnant offers. One is from an older, very rich and rather corpulent lord whose reputation for licentious behavior disgusts her; the other from the young, puppyish scion of a noble family whose relatives are convinced she is a fortune hunter.

Lady Mablethorpe was aghast. Her young son, Adrian wanted to get married Miss Deborah Grantham--a gambling-club wench! Thus she sent her trusted nephew, the vastly wealthy, clever, and imperturbable Max Ravenscar, speeding to the faro tables to buy the hussy off. A renowned gamester, and the first to own that he is untroubled by a romantic disposition, Ravenscar regards all eligible females with indifference, preferring horses, cockfighting or cards.

To Ravenscar's surprise, Deb turned out to be besides remarkably handsome, witty, and--he could scarcely believe it--well-bred. Nevertheless, he expected she'd be grateful far the price he offered to give up her young suitor. Arrogant Ravenscar always gets his way and comes to buy her off, an insult so scathing that it leads to a volley of passionate reprisals, escalating between them to a level of flair and fury that can only have one conclusion. As they lock horns, they become increasingly drawn to each other. Amidst all the misunderstandings and entanglements, has Ravenscar finally met his match?

Description from Open Library.

Books like Faro's Daughter

See why they match